It was during the first weekend of the lockdown that I attended my first online bat mitzvah. I happened to be at my computer during Shacharit services when Facebook notified me that my congregation was going live. As I watched, notifications popped up as my friends and contacts tuned in. As people recognized each others’ names popping up, they greeted each other warmly – wishing them good health and sending virtual hugs.
Soon, it was time for the Torah service. The screen shifted to the living room of a young woman’s house, where she was flanked by her parents. In the sanctuary, the Rabbi unrolled the Torah, allowing the congregation a close-up glimpse of the hand-written scroll that those in the pews rarely see. As the young woman began to chant, the comment feed filled with words of encouragement from congregants and her family and friends, near and far.
Read more: https://forward.com/opinion/445722/fewer-barriers-more-intimacy/
